Captured prison escapee David Sweat was released last night from a New York hospital where he had been treated for gunshot wounds and moved to a prison over 400km away from the one he fled, authorities said.

A woman said to have helped two murderers escape from a maximum-security prison by giving them hacksaw blades, chisels, and other tools has made another court appearance as a manhunt in New York state continues.

PRESIDENT Barack Obama declared yesterday that authorities had uncovered a “credible terrorist threat” against the United States following the overseas discovery of US-bound packages containing explosives aboard cargo jets. Obama said both had been addressed to Jewish organisations in the Chicago area.

US President Barack Obama declared tonight that authorities had uncovered a “credible terrorist threat” following the discovery of US-bound packages containing explosives aboard cargo jets.